The WRSG is at a transition point, for having reached at least the 50% mark of its fundraising goal, it may formally apply to sponsor a family. Sponsorship Agreement Holders now see very few potential matches on bimonthly lists, so the way ahead will require strategic decisions. It is with joy that we announce that Susan Davis has accepted the position of Chair to lead us forward.

Susan is no stranger to the WRSG: She and Pastor Tim Davis were instrumental in its formation, and she delivered our initial training in refugee sponsorship in late 2015 and early 2016. They have often been away during Tim’s sabbatical leave from Westside Bible Church, but both Susan and Tim had already committed to joining the Committee.

We are grateful to Hilary Mackey, who brought energy and commitment to the role of Chair from the formation of the Committee through the recent fundraising gala. Hilary is stepping down to focus on rebuilding her professional practise as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and therapeutic bodyworker, after an eight-year hiatus. As such, she will provide some pro bono services through the Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refuges, and remain involved with the WRSG.

For some months, the five-member Committee was augmented by Henry and Yvonne Van Boxtel of the Canvas Church, and we again thank them for their support. Once the new Committee meets, there may be more adjustments to personnel and roles. Fundraising isn’t complete, but there is a need for further team building and training before we can support a refugee family. Now would be a great time for new volunteers to join the Committee or take on other equally important roles.

Wasn’t last night’s gala fundraiser with The Ladies of Jazz and Gospel great? Thanks to everyone who played a role in making it possible! Through the efforts of many, somewhat over $7,000 was raised to help a few, but neither the fundraising nor the fundamental mission of supporting a family for a year is complete. Nevertheless, the WRSG has enough funds to be on the threshold of formally applying to sponsor a family.

In future, more team building and training will be required, but now is a good time to look back. If you have photos to share, please email the file – or preferably a link to a file – and I’ll begin building a WRSG photo library.

In time, it may be that through photos, a matched family first “meets” those whose efforts made their sponsorship possible. Ideally, the email should indicate when and where a photo was taken, the occasion, and people in the photo should be identified.

Ticket Sales – Read On

With the event less than two days away, regular ticket sales are closed. We have 65 guests coming, but a few more can be accommodated, and weare taking names for extra sales. Click here, insert answers, and send to be added to the list; we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

You’ll then have a limited amount of time in which to complete a purchase.

Four spots on a day sail are available in support of Saturday’s fundraiser gala with The Ladies of Jazz and Gospel, courtesy of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific. These may not be auctioned, and will be used as door prize(s). Conditions apply:

The day sail will be on a Canadian Patrol Frigate on September 9, 2016 out of Esquimalt Harbour. Day sail guests must be available to attend from 7:30am to 4pm inclusive.

Cellular phones and electronic devices with sending /receiving capability are not permitted onboard.

Visitors must be Canadian citizens, 12 years of age or older and able to quickly ascend and descend ladders.

The fundraising target has been revised downwards, although the budget remains $45,000. In addition, our Sponsorship Agreement Holder – now the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia – requires that we reach 50% of our fundraising target before applying to be matched with a family.

As the thermometer on the Home page shows, we’re getting close. Let’s surpass that threshold by Canada Day!

Mayor Carol Hamilton has proclaimed the week of June 20th to 24th as Westshore Refugee Sponsorship Group Week in Colwood. June 20th is World Refugee Day; the Westshore Refugee Fundraiser Gala with The Ladies of Jazz and Gospel is on the 25th.

The Westshore Refugee Sponsorship Group would like to thank Canvas Church for their help in raising the contents needed to furnish and equip the apartment we have. The job involved much written and verbal communication of an ever-changing needs lists, as well as giving, inspecting, transporting and storing various sized furniture and other items.

While a few things came through other team members, it was the people of the Canvas Church who kept their eyes and hearts on our list for over 2 months, whittling it down from over 100 items to the current list of 20. When I was out in the community looking for auction items for our upcoming fundraiser, I met a young woman from Canvas, who clearly demonstrated her heartfelt commitment to the ministry of helping the family through this list.